Repair a leak with zero flats

In case of micro leaks or "pinholes" on a HIPE, I-SUP, or First inflatable board, Zero Flats is the solution!

First and foremost, remember that prevention is better than cure. The longevity of your board will depend above all on how well you take care of it. Its worst enemies are overpressure and exposure to sun and heat.

Don't leave your board always inflated at full pressure, even if it's stored flat, dry and protected from light in your garage. Lower the pressure between sessions: if you lower the pressure on your board, but it remains hard, the pressure is still too high. Lower the pressure enough so that you can easily sink your fist into your board. This avoids putting too much stress on the welds, which will eventually lead to air leaks. Stress can lead to slow leaks. Here's a simple solution to repair micro-leaks.

How to spot a leak?

A loss of pressure can be due to a leak, but not exclusively. A board that remains constantly inflated will see its pressure drop, but that doesn't mean your board is leaking. Note also that simply connecting or reconnecting your pump's hose to your board is enough to lose 1 to 2 Psi of pressure.

Soapy water test

Your board is leaking, but you don't really know where the leak is coming from. Here's a simple tutorial to help you spot it:

Materials: 1 sponge / liquid soap or dishwashing liquid / water / 1 bowl or small recipient / ballpoint pen.

Time: approx. 5 min.

Procedure:

Mix soap (or dishwashing liquid) with water in a bowl.
Using a sponge, apply the solution to areas where a leak is suspected or on any joints or overlaps in the PVC. Let it sit for a few minutes.
If bubbles form, there is a leak (visually, small leaks may form bubbles that look like snail trails, while larger leaks will create bigger bubbles).
Mark the area with a pen.
Don’t hesitate to cover the entire surface of the board with the soapy water, especially the rails, to detect any other possible leaks.

Repairing a leak with ZERO FLATS

To be used in case of micro leaks along the rails or pinholes.

ZERO FLATS is primarily a puncture prevention product originally used in mountain biking. However, it’s also a product we have successfully used for years. It helps seal micro leaks that occur along the rail.

ZERO FLATS is a formula composed of nano-encapsulated latex which is maintained in a liquid state, but which coagulates under the effect of pressure to form a flexible, permanent plug.

Materials: ZERO FLATS / 1 plastic bottle (50cl) / 1 funnel / 1 valve wrench (repair kit) / fine screwdriver or toothpick.

Time: approx. 25 min.

Procedure:

Deflate the board.
Remove the valve from the board using the black tightening key provided in the repair kit.
Separate the female part of the valve to create space for inserting the funnel (do not apply ZERO FLATS to the female part of the valve).